Saturday,Nov 27 2004, 08:28:40 AMPART 40: To SINGOSARI and Jakarta NOV. 8,...

PART 40: To SINGOSARI and Jakarta

 

 

NOV. 8, MONDAY

 

            Ok. Nobody can join me to Ngilyep. Some are gone and some cannot travel far coz it is still Ramadan Fasting Month. So I decided to go back to Surabaya after lunch.

 

11 am – had light breakfast

11:30 – Agung was suppose to bring me to the bus station but I said I want to take a picture of the Hindu Princess PRAJNAPARAMITA Statue replica(13^th Century Singosari Kingdom) near the station. Its about 5 meters high.

12 nn – he drove me up to SINGOSARI, next town Northeast of Malang Town Proper, to see a HINDU Temple then to LAWANG (next town) to see BUDDHIST Temple and CATHOLIC Church

SINGOSARI Kingdom was last ruled by King Kertanegara, was the capital in 13^th Century.

 

12:30 – took the bus from a bus stop

1:45  – I arrived Surabaya. I was fast

2:15 – Fego picked me up by motorcycle

3 pm – I unpacked my stuff from Malang then packed-up for Jakarata.

3:30  – I called my travel agent if I can move my flight from Wednesday to TODAY. Bisa!!! (can)

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4 pm – I asked my board mate to take me out by motorcycle to the main street to get a cab.

4:10 – I sms Grace and Dito that I will arrive in Jakarta after 7 pm. Grace will try to find somebody to fetch me. Dito will meet me after 11 pm after his family affairs. He was surprised coz I'm arriving early as planned

5 pm – reached Surabaya Airport

6:10 – boarded the plane

6:35 – plane took off. The air also had heavy traffic. 3 planes landed before we can take off.

7:25 – plane landed in JAKARTA AIRPORT (far Northwest side, outside the city)

7:45 – got out of the Arrival area. Grace said I should take the bus to BLOCK-M (Southwest district)

8 pm – the bus left the airport. Its a 40-minute ride without traffic jam

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9 pm – arrived Blok-M Mall because the traffic was slow. I immediately looked for food. Went to Mc Donalds. I havent eaten or drank any fluid since I left Malang. Its like Fasting too, huh.

9:20 – Grace sms saying that NO ONE (not a single soul) from Aiesec LC – Indonesia University (whatever their reasons may be) can pick me up or give me place to rest for a while or accompany me while waiting for Dito. Bad timing for my arrival, huh?

9:30 – Mc Donalds is closing. I went out to the street.  I realized I have money and a big bag. Plus, I forgot my ATM card, its in my Passport. Then my passport is in my drawer... in Surabaya!!! WWHHHAAAA-DDDUUUHHHH!!!!!

 

Ive heard that in this district, there is a small community where thieves, snatchers, pick pockets live. I went back in the vicinity of Blok-M Mall, behind the big exit gate near the Security Guard Station. At least I feel safe. They dont even bother me. I'm just sitting there and smoking and texting anyone in Jakarta:

Basma – her sim card is off. She has more than 2 sim cards. I will stay at her place on Friday.

Theo – his phone rang, when I sent sms its off. He arrived from Bandung

Ociet – hes far from where I am. He arrived yesterday from Malang

Pandu – lost his cellphone few weeks ago. Also from Malang

Arif – he lives near but doesnt care to reply. Originally Jakarta

LCP – he was not replying since I planned this trip so maybe... nevermind, ya uda!

 

 

Well, this was not the first incident that a Trainee arrived in Jakarta but not a single LC-UI person was available. Same thing happened to the trainee for UP – Bandung.

 

Is this how the Betawi (Jakarta) people act? Or Sudanese (West Java)? Because Javanese (Central & East Java) are know to be hospitable (and hostile too). Or regardless of tribe, is this the “BIG CITY PEOPLE” Attitude? (pardon my labeling)

For “Big City People”, the city is big and rough, they thrive to survive everyday. They are independent and cannot be bothered. They mind their own problems. They have their own set of friends. (Remember Jakarta is the Seat of All Powers and bombarded with problems many times)

 

So, when you come to Jakarta you must be tough. You must be on your own. Get a map and compass. And learn the language.

 

But how come one Filipino Aiesec Member said he can stay in any UI members (that was before his trip was cancelled) and I must be sorry for myself because I am a “Trainee”. That is the right Aiesec brotherhood but, eerrrr... bad attitude.

Mind you, without Trainees there won’t be Aiesec. (Am I right or am I correct?)

So you must take care of the trainees same as you treat a fellow foreign member or a CEEDer.

That is just my opinion. Nothing personal. I just have a big mouth.

Don’t mind me. We are not gonna meet again, anyway. This will be my last major trip around Java.

Mohon maaf if I have offended you. I don’t want any trouble. PEACE!

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11:30 pm –  finally, one guard talked to me coz he noticed that I have been sitting quietly. We just had a short chat coz Dito has already arrived to pick me up

1 am – I'm already on bed. Alhamduh’lil-Lah! (Thanks be to God!)

 

But I could not fall asleep. I have this sleeping-disorder... I CANNOT SLEEP IN ANOTHER HOUSE FOR THE FIRST NIGHT. This is my first night in this house. Same as in Dito’s boarding house in Malang.

 

I heard mosques shouting Suh-oor (3:30 am eating and praying before sunrise), Dito getting up to eat with his family, until he comes back to bed. I need to save my energy for later this day.

 

 

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